Happy Halloween!!!

Enjoy the holiday!

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, weeks 39, 40
1. Plant something: Planted some greens and chard seeds
2. Harvest something: some carrots
3. Preserve something: nope
4. Waste Not: One of my fellow gardeners gave me dome cilantro seeds as she was clearing out her plot
5: Want not: Ordered some much needed boots for winter, Received the Kindle I ordered from Amazon
6. Preparation and Storage: Checked out my Crank/Solar/Battery Radio, and got my emergency supplies together (propane heater, food supplies etc) in case of power outage, made sure the generator would start; still working on the shed
7. Build Community Food Systems: Donated some canned goods and pet food to local food drives
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Carrot Apple soup using some of my carrots

Growing Challenge Extreme Evangelist Edition- just planted some garlic, greens and chard seeds

KINDLE LOVE

Okay I just finished reading my first book on my Kindle. And I am getting less guilty about it. I got the kindle not because I am against the brick and mortar bookstores. I am not. I got it for the ease and the lower footprint on the enviroment.
Not use to being very technically advanced, it was a hard decision for me. I was feeling guilty about not being more loyal to the bookstores I love. Then it dawned on me, while talking with Martin, I usually frequent used bookstores anyway. And I suspect I still will. (Hey out of print books are cool and most likely not on the list) Also as far as magazines go, the ones I read are usually not on the kindle list. So I suspect I will still be subscribing. At least to Readymade!

Halloween Safety Tips

Here are some Halloween safety tips- courtesy of Safe Kids.Org- Have a Fun and safe Halloween

Top tips to keep your kids safe on Halloween

For parents and children:

• Choose light-colored costumes that can be seen in the dark.

• Decorate your children's costumes with reflective materials. Give them flashlights and glowsticks to carry in order to see better, as well as be seen by drivers.

• Cross the street safely at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don’t run, across the street.

• Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.

• Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

• Slow down and stay alert - watch out for cars that are turning or backing up and never dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars.

• Masks can obstruct a child's vision, so choose non-toxic face paint, make-up, and wigs instead.

For drivers:

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods and school zones.

• Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. so be sure to turn on your full headlights.

• Be especially alert and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

• Slowly and carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys.

• Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

Treats

• While pedestrian safety is a main concern on Halloween, parents and kids should also be careful when dealing with candy. Remind children to only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers.

Music as Art

Well what am I working on now??? Lets see--- I have these two Ukeleles, one I have had for most of my life (the big Baritone) and a Soprano (the little one) that I have had for a little over a year.I wanted to hang them as pieces of art (Not that my playing is art enough) Anyway the guitars holders were so big and wouldn't hole the Ukes well and not to mention pricey... well more than I would pay for them. So I had an idea... why not make my own?

I took two corner moulding squares leftover from the addition I put on the house
and then I painted them red and put some utility hooks on them to hold the ukes and them mounted them to the wall with four screws.

Done. My music maybe ain't art, but my instruments sure are!

This blog post is linked to:2nd Time around on "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words blog", Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage; Show us what your working with @ Me and my Bucket, Getting Crafty on Hump Day @ Nikki's Nifty Knacks

Why Most Dogs hate Halloween...

Romeo is joining with some other Canine ghouls and goblins Saturday for the Boo! in Burien Halloween pet costume parade/contest. He would join the Wiener dog races but they already said no-He is not a Wiener dog. Of course to which I answer He is kind of a wiener. Ever wonder why dogs hate Halloween? Well here are 10 examples-

Rain Barrel Art

Over at Greenopolis Blog, Writer Joe Laur is showing off some really interesting DIY Rain Barrel Art. These are obviously accomplished artists, but actually here is my favorite:
Recycle the Raindrops was part of events through Chicago all this year, from conferences to art fairs. Here are some of the artistic designs from the program.
Check out the rest of Rain Barrel art on Greenopolis

Craving, Doing,Thankful

Craving:

* Cigarettes
* Chocolate and sweets
* Time off from work
* A big old cup of coffee

Doing:

* Working
* Building a shed for my bike
* Dehydrating peppers
* Freezing carrots


Grateful

* My dog Romeo and cat, Sammy
* My little family (Martin, Mom)
* My large extended family- (Friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins)
* 16 years of sobriety

I am stealing passing this on from Wendy via Fleecenik Farm, I hope you can pass it on too:)

The Annual Crunchy Chicken Frozen Rump Fest!

Well the seasons come around and just like clockwork, so does Ms. Chicken's Frozen Rump-Fest. I join in on this one grumpily- she's not asking you to literally freeze, but rather, just turn down the thermostat. I am turning mine to 55 when in bed or at work, and 65 when at home. There are many advantages to this- lower utility bills, runny nose, pneumonia. But really it isn't that bad- just sit around in a snuggly blanket and wait for the goddamn winter to end. I guess I am not making it sound any better. Suffice it to say- I have survived the last 3 years doing this-so give it a shot

Trick or Treat Wreath

I made a wreath for Halloween- I got a grape vine wreath form from Dollar Tree, some ribbon and spiders from JoAnn's
The spiders hide the staple on the hanger made of ribbon.

They are everywhere. Spoooooky!

This blog post is linked to:2nd Time around on "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words blog", Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage; Show us what your working with @ Me and my Bucket, Getting Crafty on Hump Day @ Nikki's Nifty Knacks

One Small Change- Kitty Litter refuse

Another friendlier option for a waste problem

Well time for another small change! This time is more a way I do something which I hate- cleaning Sammy's litter box. The garbage pick up want's me to bag the kitty litter which is messy and a pain. But while I was cleaning up yard waste it came to me... why not use a yard waste bag? They stand up, and hold up long enough to get Sammy's spent pine pellets into the bag. Then I simply fold over the top and discard. Everyone is happy... the garbage man doesn't get bombarded with used litter and poop, I get an easy way to rid myself of said litter, and Sammy gets a clean comode. No plastic bag.

Weekly Challenge Update

What a beautiful weekend here in the Seattle area! Slowed me down in some areas, but helped me out in others... Was going to finish constructing the shed for my bikes but I just had to take advantage of a rain free, work free weekend and clean the Community Garden plot and prune some fruit trees, which also gave me an idea for my one small change. More about that tomorrow!


Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 38
1. Plant something: Garlic
2. Harvest something: Last of the green tomatoes, beets, last of the summer chard, kohl rabi and carrots
3. Preserve something: Wondering if one could freeze green tomato slices- if not nothing
4. Waste Not: Saved the tomato cages from community garden for use next season
5: Want not: Bought a book on foraging at the local used book store
6. Preparation and Storage: Still constructing shed for bikes… Weather has been so good- I had to do some much needed yard work and clean the allotment at the Community Garden
7. Build Community Food Systems: Not really
8. Eat the food (cook something new):

Growing Challenge "Extreme Evangelist Edition"- Cleaned the community garden bed; considering moving the green house to front yard - less light but better location

Best Re-Use I have seen all year

This has got to be the best Re-Use project I have seen all year! Anyone got a 1976 Mazda Pick-Up they are not using???

DIY Halloween Costumes

Looking for a great costume for a party? Or does your little candy beggar want to be all original? Why not make your own costume- perfect oppurtunity for resuing materials, saving money. There are a plethora of sites to go to to make your own unique costume. One of my current favorites is "Filth Wizardy Blog" Her blog she shows how to make Storm trooper helmets out of milk jugs, as well as Batman masks, and even a light sabre out of a balloon and just a spot light.

For Fido, go over to Condo Blues and check out her post, "10 Halloween Costumes for Dogs who hate Costumes" starring Blitzkrieg the pirate dog!
For some kids costumes, try Disney Family Fun, or look up Sherri Osborne at About.com Halloween Costumes!


And there are more creative folks out there. Remember the Yip Yips? On in Instructables.com, there is a complete tutorial on how to make a Yip Yip costume.And speaking of Instructables.com, check out their Halloween Channel for a whole lot of DIY Costumes

Lighting up Rick

Let me introduce you to my old friend Rick. Yo! Rick I knew him. Anyway I have had rick for a long time and decided this year to spruce him up a bit for the holiday. I was thinking either a candle holder or a lamp, but one day walking through Lowes saw this neat light bulb (a Sylvania CA8 "flickering Candle" bulb)only 3 watts, and decided "Why not both?"

So i took a scrap piece of PVC,1 1/4", about 6" long

a snap in candlebra socket and cord set. I just put the cord and switch through the PVC, and pulled tight and lowered the socket through. Then to adhere the "candle onto the head I took some epoxy putty (the Billy May's Mighty putty type) and put a glop on the skull where I wanted the candle to stick, and a rope of putty at the top o emulate a burning candle, complete with a drip, paint it white, install the bulb plug in and enjoy.

This blog post is linked to:2nd Time around on "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words blog", Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage; Show us what your working with @ Me and my Bucket, Getting Crafty on Hump Day @ Nikki's Nifty Knacks

Romeo ready for halloween!

I was looking for am orange t-shirt to fit Romeo- Couldn't find one so had to get creative- I bought a Youth Small White t- shirt at the thrift store and a box of Rit Sunshine Orange dye at Michael's and dyed the white T-Shirt orange following the directions on the inside of the box.

Then I made a stencil out of light cardboard with a jack o' lantern face, and used some spray paint I happened to have here from an earlier project on the shirt for an instant halloween costume/shirt for the dog, just add a green bandana or ribbon. I liked Romeo's shirt so much I made myself one!

Crappy cell phone pic- Romeo is ready to defend his home against spooks and goblins in his halloween costume!

This blog post is linked to:2nd Time around on "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words blog", Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage; Show us what your working with @ Me and my Bucket, Getting Crafty on Hump Day @ Nikki's Nifty Knacks

What the hell is silica gel and why is it in my package of beef jerky???

I found a website that answers that old question of what to do with those silica gel packets I find in the strangest places, like Romeo's happy hips treats and my new shoes. Just go over to My Zero Waste. Com and check out How to ReUse Silica Gel packets 8 Ways, hmmmm... I never thought about putting them in my seed box to help keep seeds fresh.

Mocha FAKE-acinno

Like those rich expensive coffee drinks? Here is a recipe for a fake Starbucks Mocha Frappacino (or rather FAKE- A- Cinno) from Gourmet Slueth.com that is pretty good. At least I liked it.
Disclaimer:This is a copycat recipe and not the actual propriety recipe that is property of Starbucks. The are approximations. For the real thing, visit your local Starbucks.


Ingredients
6 cups double-strength freshly brewed dark roast coffee
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus additional cocoa powder for garnish
2 cups nonfat milk

Instructions
Fill ice-cube trays with half of the brewed coffee and place in the freezer. In a bowl, combine the remaining brewed coffee, cocoa powder and milk and stir to dissolve the cocoa. Cover and chill.

When the ice cubes have frozen, transfer them to a kitchen towel and, using a hammer or mallet, crush the cubes. Fill 4 glasses with the crushed ice and divide the coffee-cocoa mixture evenly among them. Dust the top with cocoa powder and serve.

More Starbucks Copy cat recipes over at Gourmet Slueth.com

If you cant grow 'em, build 'em

Since the bees and the weather did not mix well this year to grow much of a pumpkin crop in my back yard (should have planted them in the front again!) and since I didn't feel like having pumpkin sex this year, I didn't get many pumpkins. So what to do? How do you present your Auntie with a Autumnal centerpiece on thanksgiving? Simple- just make your own pumpkin! Perusing the internets and found this neat and easy craft from House of Hepworths- Very easy to do- all the instructions are here. Just some vinyl dryer hose, some orange spray paint, a stick (I used a stick that fell from a tree rather than a cinnamon stick) and I chose some raffia over fake leaves. Just super glued the ends of a cut piece of dryer vent. Stuck the stick in the center after paint dried.I understand this can be done with aluminum dryer vent as well, but you have to prime it.

This blog post is linked to:2nd Time around on "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words blog", Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage; Show us what your working with @ Me and my Bucket, Getting Crafty on Hump Day @ Nikki's Nifty Knacks

How The Empire Strikes back Should have ended...

OK Go Video raises Money for ASPCA

This just brings a smile to my day.
Thanks to Ikeahacker I had an afternoon with 4 guys with a lot of Fniss. Seriously, if Ikea could sing, it would probably sound like OK Go. But it's not just the tune, the music video is charming (you can't go wrong with cute dogs) and the song is White Knuckles. My favorite part is near the begining the two dogs on the tables that appear to be closely watching something overhead... just too funny. Proceeds from the video will go towards the ASPCA and doggie rescue. You can read more about OK Go's canine cause here.

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Year 3, week 36
1. Plant something: Nope
2. Harvest something: Green peppers, beets, bok choy, last of the cucumbers
3. Preserve something: Froze some green peppers
4. Waste Not: Found a wooden nail keg in a dumpster that I will make a table out of
5: Want not: Bought two cookbooks at the new used book store in Burien, Bumbershoot Books
6. Preparation and Storage: Started clearing out the garage before I see it on Hoarders, and to prepare for the new freezer! Also bought a 4' X 10' Shed to keeps bikes and bike trailers in.
7. Build Community Food Systems: Nope
8. Eat the food (cook something new): Bok Choy salad, bok choy and green peppers in stir fry

Growing Challenge "Extreme Evangelist Edition"- Not much to report. Getting community bed ready for fall

Changing my SWAG for good, not evil

Before- instead of removing the silk screening I painted over it with fabric paint.
After: A neat lunch bag that says PEACE!


Every once in awhile, my employer decides to Swag (stuff we all get) us lowly workers. Don't get me wrong - most of the stuff is cool- my first Re-usable steel water bottle came from my employer
But sometimes the corporate logo and recognition is just too much. Case in point, one of the groups I support gave me this cool reusable lunch bag. But with all the program info on it, I just wanted something simple... I remembered Condo Blues and her Swag redo challenge. I got a neat patch from Michael's along with some Fabric glue, and some fabric paint. First I painted over the silk screening on the lunch bag, it took a couple of coats but pretty much went away. then I carefully glued my peace sign patch onto the bag. And there you have it, my new reusable lunch bag redo. I think Ms. Lisa would be proud.